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Some women prefer to investigate alternative, rather than conventional, treatment to cope with endometriosis and in this chapter we discuss some of these options.

Since it is impossible to explain all alternative therapies in detail, this chapter is merely a guide and we suggest you contact a practitioner of your choice for further details.

It is important to remember that results are not achieved overnight. In fact, symptoms may seem to get worse initially and it can take some months before they begin to improve.

Those wanting to investigate a holistic approach – the treatment of the whole person, not just the disease – must be patient and determined.

Diet

Lifestyle and diet play an important role in this holistic approach. A poor diet can result in mineral deficiencies which can burden the lymphatic system with waste. Often the food we eat does not have the nutritional quality necessary for good health.

If you don’t have access to organically grown fruit and vegetables (and being realistic, not too many of us do) then eat good, fresh fruit and vegetables daily and try to avoid processed foods.

Processed food may contain additives such as artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. Even storage can reduce the nutritional value of some foods, as can some cooking methods.

Many endometriosis sufferers have reported an improvement in symptoms simply by improving their diet and introducing regular exercise.

It is best to consult a specialist for advice but there are some simple steps you can introduce yourself to improve your diet.

• Write down what you have eaten today. Be honest and examine the list carefully. Revise the list and in future try to eliminate any foods with additives or those that have been processed or refined.

• Try to have a fresh salad or fresh fruit or vegetables daily. Organically grown produce is best but if this is not available then make sure you wash the fruit and vegetables thoroughly before use.

• Drink lots of water. Spring or filtered water is better but, again, if this is not possible tap water is better than no water at all.

• For those with bowel problems and constipation, your diet should also be high in fibre.

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Boron

Apples, carrots, grains, grapes, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and pears.

Calcium

Almonds, apricots, avocado, brazil nuts, broccoli, cabbage, carob powder, chick peas, collard, currants, dates, figs, fish, green leafy vegetables, hazelnuts, kale leaves, kelp, lentils, linseed, molasses, mung beans, okra, olives, parsley, pinto beans, prunes, raisins, rhubarb, sardines, sesame seeds, silverbeet, soybeans, spinach, sunflower seeds, turnip greens, walnuts and white beans.

Copper

Almonds, crab, dry stone fruit, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, organ meats, pecans, perch, seafood (crayfish, prawns, and mussel), Spanish onions, sunflower seeds, and whole grains.

Chromium

Asparagus, black pepper, brewer’s yeast, clams, grape juice, haddock, lobster, molasses, mushrooms, nuts, oysters, peanuts, prunes, raisins, shrimp and whole grains,

Chlorine

Beans, cabbage, celery, cow’s milk, fish, fresh dried figs, kelp, lentils, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes.

Fluorine

Asparagus, cabbage, egg yolk, garlic, goat’s milk, mackerel, oats, parsley, rice, sardines and sea salt.

Germanium

Aloe vera, comfrey, garlic, ginseng, onions, shitake mushrooms, and suma.

Iodine

Cucumbers, dairy products, dulse, garlic, iodized salt, Irish moss, kelp, lima beans, mushrooms, saltwater fish, sea salt, seafood, sesame seeds, soybeans, spinach, sunflower seeds, turnip greens and watermelons.

Iron

Apricots, asparagus, barley, broccoli, cabbage, chlorophyll, dates, eggs, figs, fish, kelp, leeks, legumes, lentils, lettuce, oats, onion, organ meats, oysters, parsley, pine nuts, poultry, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin, radish, raisins, red grape juice, red wine, silverbeet, soybeans, spinach, sunflower seeds wheat and wheat germ.

Magnesium

Almonds, beans, beet greens, brewer’s yeast, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cashews, corn, dark green vegetables, dates, figs, kelp, molasses, parsley, silverbeet, soybeans, spinach, walnuts and wholegrain cereals.

Manganese

Almonds, avocados, blueberries, buckwheat, coconuts, corn, dried fruits, dried peas, kelp, nuts, olives, pecans, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and whole-grains.

Molybdenum

Buckwheat, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, lentils, lima beans, liver, oats, peas, soybeans, sunflower seeds, sweet peas and wheat-germ.

Phosphorus

Almonds, asparagus, barley, beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chickpeas, corn, cucumbers, egg yolk, fish, garlic, kale, leafy greens, lentils, mushrooms, oats, peas, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, rice, rye, salmon, soybeans, tuna, walnuts, watercress, wheat and whole-grains.

Potassium

Apricots, avocados, bamboo shoots, bananas, barley, beans, beetroots, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, citrus fruits, dried fruits, eggplant, garlic, kale, kelp, leafy greens, lettuce, mushrooms, nuts (except macadamias), olives, parsley, peas, potatoes, rhubarb, seeds, silverbeet, soybeans, spinach, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, whole wheat and yams.

Selenium

Brazil nuts, brewers yeast, broccoli, brown rice, cashews, chicken, crab, dulse, eggs, garlic, herring, human breast milk, kelp, onions, salmon, seafood, tomatoes, tuna, vegetables and whole-grains.

Silica

Alfalfa, barley, beets, brown rice, dates, dried figs, green leafy vegetables, horsetail plants, oats, root vegetables, soybeans and strawberries.

Sodium

Beans, celery, dates, dried figs, eggs, fish, green olives, kelp, leafy greens, lentils, peas, sardines, silverbeet, spinach, strawberries and tomatoes.

Sulphur

Beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, dates, dried figs, eggs, fish, garlic, horseradish, kale, leafy greens, onions, radish, spinach, turnips and watercress.

Zinc

Brewer’s yeast, ginger, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, seafood – especially oysters, soybeans, sunflower seeds and whole-grains.

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